FOODPLAY comes to Flagler Beach school

FLAGLER BEACH – May 21, the gymnasium at Old Kings Elementary was full of laughter. That might not sound so unusual, but the source of the laughter certainly was. Instead of the students playing traditional games and activities, they were entertained by the silly – but educational – antics of the actors in FOODPLAY, a national award-winning theater show that inspires and empowers children to make healthy choices.

As approximately 350 students filled the elementary school’s gym, FOODPLAY’s cast of performers helped make the message of good nutrition come alive through feats of juggling, music, magic and audience participation.

During the performance, children follow Janey the Juggler, who dreams of becoming a juggling star but keeps dropping the balls because of her unhealthy diet. With the help of the “Coach” and the children in the audience, Janey learns how to juggle the foods she eats to wind up with a balanced diet.

Through three separate performances, all 1,200 students at Old Kings Elementary had a chance to watch the show.

“I thought it was a good reminder of what we should be doing and should be eating,” said Old Kings Elementary sixth-grader Darshawn Jones, 12.

To bring this national program to Old Kings Elementary in Flagler Beach, Florida Hospital Flagler partnered with the Department of Food and Nutrition Services of Flagler County Schools.

“We recognize that childhood obesity is a serious problem. If we don’t do something, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. These kids will be at a higher risk of developing chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and asthma,” said David Ottati, Florida Hospital Flagler CEO. “That’s why we partnered with Old Kings Elementary to bring FOODPLAY to our community. It is our hope that interactive programs like this will help motivate kids, as well as their entire families, towards healthier eating habits.”

The FOODPLAY program follows USDA Guidelines and has been updated with an interactive MyPlate scene, to help students and families identify nutritionally-dense foods and understand the importance of proper nutrition.

“Because children are growing and developing, it is important to give them food that is nutritionally dense for proper overall growth and development,” said Dr. Vincent Verdeflor, Florida Hospital Flagler pediatrician and medical director of Flagler County Schools. “While children in general do have a higher metabolic rate than adults, their growing bodies need more than just calories and food, they need proper nutrition. If sugary and high-fat foods are replacing nutritious food, children may be unable to perform at age-appropriate levels. Additionally, allowing children to eat these types of foods could put them on the path of battling lifelong weight issues.”

FOODPLAY makes good eating great fun, but its messages are serious. In the last 25 years, childhood obesity rates have doubled among elementary school children and tripled among teenagers. One in three children is overweight, and less than two percent of the nation’s youth are meeting their daily nutritional requirements. Kids on average are drinking more than 600 cans of soda and consuming more than 150 pounds of sugars a year, missing out on recommended levels of fruits, vegetables and whole grains needed for optimal health.

According to USDA-sponsored evaluations, FoodPlay programs produce dramatic improvements in students’ eating and exercise habits and trigger community-wide interest in building healthy environments.

About FoodPlay Productions

Founded in 1982 by Emmy Award-winning nutritionist Barbara Storper, MS, RD, a leader in the field of children’s nutrition, FoodPlay Productions has spread its message of good health to over four million schoolchildren across the country. According to US Department of Agriculture-sponsored evaluations, FoodPlay has been shown to dramatically improve children’s eating and exercise habits. With its traveling theater shows and media campaigns, FoodPlay Productions has been using the power of live theater to promote healthy eating and exercise habits to the nation’s youth for over 25 years. For fun food tips, activities, and free nutrition handouts, visit www.foodplay.com.